Uganda has reinforced its military presence in eastern Congo, deploying 1,000–2,000 additional troops near the M23 conflict zone. The move raises concerns over a regional escalation, as Uganda and Rwanda both have forces operating in the area amid growing instability.
Uganda has significantly increased its troop presence in eastern Congo, sending between 1,000 and 2,000 additional soldiers in the past week as part of Operation Shujaa, its joint mission with the Congolese army.
The reinforcements bring the total number of Ugandan troops in the region to between 4,000 and 5,000, according to diplomatic and U.N. sources. Uganda says the deployment is aimed at tackling the Islamist Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), but the troops are stationed near areas controlled by the M23 rebels, fueling concerns of further escalation.
The Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group has made significant territorial gains in eastern Congo, capturing the strategic city of Goma last month. The conflict has deepened regional tensions, with Rwanda and Uganda accused of backing opposing factions in the violence.
While Uganda officially supports Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi in combating armed groups, U.N. reports suggest that Ugandan forces have also had ties to M23, a claim Uganda denies.
Local residents in Butembo reported seeing Ugandan soldiers moving toward the M23 front lines in recent days. Uganda’s military spokesperson Felix Kulayigye denied the deployment was a major expansion, saying its forces had merely changed to a “posture of offensive defence” without providing further details.
Congo’s Communications Minister Patrick Muyaya emphasized that Uganda’s primary mission remains fighting the ADF, but acknowledged that clashes between Ugandan and Rwandan forces in the M23-controlled areas could not be ruled out.
With thousands of people displaced by the renewed fighting, regional leaders are under growing pressure to de-escalate tensions before the conflict spreads further.
President Donald Trump said Iran is keen to reach a deal with the United States, claiming Washington had paused engagement to allow funeral ceremonies...
Morocco booked their place in the World Cup quarter-finals with a convincing 3-0 victory over Canada, ending the co-host's historic run in the tourna...
Kyrgyzstan’s ex-second in command, Kamchybek Tashiev, has been convicted of plotting to overthrow the country’s President Sadyr Japarov. Tashiev a...
Russia's Defence Ministry has said its forces are clearing the town of Lyman in Donetsk of Ukrainian forces, Moscow's state news agency Tass reported...
Uzbekistan will open an embassy in Georgia, the Central Asian country’s presidency has said. The announcement follows talks between Uzbekistan’s P...
A prominent Ugandan lawyer representing detained opposition figure Kizza Besigye has been charged with a treason-related offence, days after his arrest by security forces.
Uganda’s health ministry has raised concerns over what it described as unfair travel restrictions imposed during the current Ebola outbreak, warning that such measures risk undermining transparent reporting. .
Finance ministers across East Africa unveiled their 2026/27 budgets on Thursday, as investors assessed how governments plan to protect their economies from shocks linked to the ongoing Iran war while managing rising debt levels.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing another Ebola outbreak nearly five decades after the virus was first identified near the Ebola River in 1976.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has raised its forecast for the rapid emergence of a strong El Niño, warning the climate pattern is likely to drive higher global temperatures and intensify extreme weather in the months ahead.
India is investigating a data breach at Tata Electronics that exposed sensitive documents linked to Apple's unreleased iPhone 18 Pro, marking the government's first public comments on the incident.
Iran and the U.S. have concluded indirect talks in Doha without a major breakthrough, with discussions focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and frozen Iranian funds. Both sides are expected to meet again after the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
International politicians and religious leaders have paid respects to Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei throughout the day, ahead of his six day funeral ceremony which begins on Saturday. His casket is currently on display at the Iman Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran.
Germany has requested urgent talks with China's ambassador following reports that Chinese authorities trained Russian soldiers, adding fresh strain to relations between Beijing and Europe amid the war in Ukraine.
Russia's Defence Ministry has said its forces are clearing the town of Lyman in Donetsk of Ukrainian forces, Moscow's state news agency Tass reported. Meanwhile, Russian attacks killed at least six people across three Ukrainian regions on Friday, regional officials said.
French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to use next week's NATO summit in Ankara to advance his push for greater European responsibility in security, with a bilateral meeting planned with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as Paris seeks closer coordination with key allies.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated U.S. President Donald Trump on the 250th anniversary of American independence, saying Russia and the United States share a special responsibility for maintaining global security as the world's two largest nuclear powers.
China said on Saturday it had launched a coast guard patrol east of Taiwan, prompting a strong protest from Taipei, which accused Beijing of illegally expanding its authority and undermining regional stability.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 4 July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment